Boat registration in France: administrative procedures and practical advice

Have you just purchased a pleasure boat or are you considering buying one in the near future?

Mandatory in most cases, the registration of a pleasure vessel is an essential administrative process that must be completed as soon as possible.

When, why, and how to register a boat? Our team answers your questions.

Just like any land vehicle, boats and PWCs (Personal Watercraft, such as jet skis, sea scooters, etc.) must be registered, whether new or used, if they meet certain criteria.

At sea or on the inland waterway network (including canals, rivers, and lakes), in French territory or internationally... the procedures and obligations differ. They depend in particular on the technical characteristics of your vessel and how you use it!

Registration is recorded in a national register to allow the French administration or other states (if you are sailing in international waters or in the territorial waters of another country) to know the identity of the registered owner in the event of an accident, rescue, or assistance.

Since the unique identifier is only issued under certain conditions, it also ensures that the recreational vessel complies with current safety standards and that its owner is in good standing with the administration - sailing license, recreational boating document (registration certificate and/or act of francisation granting the right to fly the French flag), paid TAEMUP (formerly DAFN or Annual Francisation and Navigation Tax)...

Maritime navigation

It is managed by the DDTM (Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea). It may be subject to taxes and offers the possibility of navigating not only in territorial waters but also in inland waterways.

In maritime areas, **mandatory registration** concerns vessels with a length of **at least 2.5 meters** or equipped with an **engine with a power greater than or equal to 4.5 kW**.

River navigation

The registration of pleasure boats for inland waterway navigation does not involve any tax. Registration is only valid for this area and is carried out with the local DDT (Departmental Directorate of Territories).

Registration is **mandatory regardless of the type of inland pleasure craft**. Procedures are simplified for boats with a length of less than 20 meters and/or with a light displacement not exceeding 10m3, but they become more complex when the light displacement exceeds 100m3 or if the boat's length exceeds 20 meters.

• For a new boat

The dealer or manufacturer is likely to **provisionally register** the boat, allowing the buyer to navigate for one month while undertaking the registration procedures. If this solution is not offered to you, you must apply for the **first registration of a pleasure craft** as soon as possible in order to be able to navigate. This is mandatory before the boat is launched.

• When purchasing a used boat: change of registration

In the event of a sale, there is a **change of ownership**. The new owner must request a **new registration certificate** (or a new French flagging certificate), by providing the duly signed bill of sale.

• For foreign boats arriving in France

A request for first registration must also be made in the case of importation. You will need to ensure that you first obtain the certificate of deletion of the previous flag. This request must be addressed to the Maritime Affairs office or the Customs Department, depending on the characteristics of the boat.

• Generally, in the event of a change

Change of owner's domicile, engine replacement with a different power... Any modification must be brought to the attention of the Administration.

→ The owner retains their navigation document as is, with a validity limit of 10 years for navigation certificates and for an indefinite period for French flagging certificates.

To register your new or used pleasure boat and sail on inland waterways or at sea, the relevant administration changes - as does the software issuing navigation licenses.

While for maritime areas, the operation is carried out on the PUMA (Portail Unique Maritime) software, it is the SIMBA (Système d’Immatriculation des Bateaux) system that manages inland waterways.

Are you a boating professional or a private individual, and you wish to register your boat? Our specialized advisors handle your boat registration application file from A to Z.

We manage all the administrative aspects, allowing you to focus solely on the essentials. If you have any doubts about filling out the form corresponding to your request, do not hesitate to contact us!

The SIMBA (inland waterways) and PUMA (maritime zone) boat registration software will send your registration document by email as soon as it is ready. All you have to do is print it!

The francisation certificate, on the other hand, is sent by post within the timeframe indicated during the application process.

As part of your registration process, flag deletion may be mandatory. This is particularly the case in the following situations:

• Before any new flag application (e.g., when you apply for a francization certificate to sail under the French flag if the boat is foreign, the deletion certificate must have been obtained for the old flag)
• Before any request to change zones from maritime to river, as the registration will be different.
• If you wish to export or sell your boat (or jet ski) outside of France.

Similar to a vehicle registration certificate, a boat’s registration certificate has been called by different names:

• Acte de francisation (old and new format)
• Carte de circulation (circulation certificate)
• Certificat d'enregistrement d'un navire de plaisance (current title)

The document includes several pieces of information:

• the name of the boat (or boat motto)
• the dimensions of the boat, including hull length and width
• the type of boat: sailboat, motorboat, yacht, catamaran, etc.
• the year, place, and method of construction
• the type and power of the engine if the boat is equipped with one
• the name, first names, and address of the owner
• the place of registration
• the registration number appearing in the national register.

Please note: The certificate must be in the owner's possession every time the boat goes out and during any land transport to prove their identity, ownership, and the recreational boat's compliance with current regulations in case of inspection.

The registration number (or enrollment number) must be visible inside the cockpit and on the boat's hull - either painted directly or on a plaque. The number followed by the letter F is inscribed on both sides of the vessel, while the boat's name is carried on its stern.

Can I sail before I receive my registration?

Yes, depending on your flag, it is possible to sail with a temporary registration while waiting to receive the document.

What to do if the title is lost?

In case of loss of your papers, you should make a declaration of loss and request a duplicate from the issuing body.

How is a boat's registration number chosen?

In France, a boat's registration for the maritime zone (coastal or offshore navigation zone) consists of 8 characters. The first two are letters corresponding to the registration district and the following six are a letter followed by five numbers, as stipulated in the Decree of October 21, 2016 relating to the registration of vessels and other ships at sea.

What is the registration procedure for a personal watercraft (PWC)?

A PWC is a craft less than 4 meters in hull length and powered by a combustion engine.

Depending on their actual engine power, jet skis are also subject to different procedures, at a minimum that of applying for a registration certificate. When it reaches or exceeds 90 kilowatts, the PWC must also be "francisé" (registered as French) and may be subject to the payment of the TAEMUP (formerly DAFN).